Can I File a Lawsuit if My Child Was Injured in a School Bus Crash in Minneapolis?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on August 28, 2023 in Auto Accidents

School bus crashes are rare, but they do happen, either because of the negligence of the bus driver or another party. Even though school buses are large vehicles, the children who are on board could still suffer significant injuries.

You need to know what to do if your child is ever involved in a school bus crash. While your focus will be primarily on treating your child’s injuries, you should consider your legal options. Another party may be at fault, which means they may be liable for your child’s medical costs and other damages.

TSR’s Minneapolis auto accident lawyers discuss Minneapolis school bus crash claims below.

No upfront fees or legal obligations. Contact us today: (612) TSR-TIME.

Recent School Bus Crashes in Minneapolis

The numbers say traveling on a school bus is one of the safest ways for your child to get to and from school. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says children are eight times safer on a school bus than in other vehicles. However, crashes still happen:

On January 25, 2023, a school bus driver ran over a six-year-old in a parking lot in Brooklyn Park outside of Minneapolis. The child was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
On April 20, 2023, three people were injured when a school bus hit a tree at 40th Street and Cedar Avenue. Two young people and a woman were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
On April 24, 2023, a pedestrian was killed by a school bus at about 6:45 a.m. The crash happened close to Cedar Avenue South and 28th Street East.

Who Could be Liable for Your Child’s School Bus Injuries?

Most school bus crashes are caused by the negligence of the driver. Examples of bus driver negligence include:

Speeding, especially in residential areas
Drunk or impaired driving
Drowsy driving
Distracted driving
Violating another driver’s right of way
Running a red light

Ignoring a stop sign
Failing to use appropriate caution given the weather (rain, snow, wind, low visibility, etc.)
Failure to check a blind spot before changing lanes

Sometimes the driver isn’t the only one at fault, or they are only partially to blame. Other parties may have been negligent, and their actions may have caused the crash to occur.

For example, the manufacturer of the bus could be liable for equipment failure, such as brake failure. The repair shop responsible for servicing the bus may have done poor work. Mechanics may have failed to fix a mechanical problem or failed to notice a problem they should have seen.

It is also possible that the entity responsible for hiring the driver failed to conduct a thorough background check. It’s entirely possible that the driver did not have the proper training or qualifications to be operating the bus or maybe had been involved in other crashes and should not have been driving at the time of the crash.

The school district itself may also be held liable if the driver is an employee of the district. A Minnesota Supreme Court ruling in 2007 helped pave the way for school districts to be held liable for injuries to students on school grounds or during school-related activities. Districts cannot use the sovereign entity law to avoid liability.

School districts are required to develop and implement comprehensive written policies about safe transportation of school children. The policy must cover various aspects, including:

Appropriate student bus safety training
Intradistrict system to report bus crashes
Provisions about bus monitor qualifications, duties and training
Operating rules

Use and maintenance of type III vehicles, drivers of these vehicles, qualifications to drive these vehicles
Emergency procedures
System for maintaining and inspecting equipment

Violations of these policies could expose the district to liability if these violations led to the crash that injured your child.

It is also possible that another driver is liable for the crash. If they were operating their vehicle with negligence, they may be directly linked with the cause of the crash.

Challenges of Proving Liability For a Bus Crash

School districts and other parties that may bear liability are going to fight hard to avoid accountability. It is also going to take a comprehensive investigation to determine who may be at fault. Even if the driver is the only one to blame, your lawyer will need to establish why the crash happened and how it caused your child’s injuries. This may require experts, such as an accident reconstruction expert.

This type of investigation is best left to an experienced lawyer, who will know how to ensure no details are missed. A lawyer can also take formal steps to preserve evidence that may be vital to your claim.

What Should You do if Your Child Was Involved in a Bus Crash?

The first step is to get your child the medical treatment he or she needs. While you may have a legal claim, this is secondary to medical treatment.

Once your child’s injuries have been stabilized, you should contact an experienced lawyer to discuss next steps.

You may be contacted by an insurance company or the school district asking you to sign things or even to accept an offer of compensation. Despite their attempts to rush you into deciding, you can always discuss these decisions with your lawyer. Liable parties often try to rush victims into quick decisions that are not in their best interest.

Compensation For a Minneapolis Bus Crash

Our attorneys are committed to securing full compensation for the injuries and damages your child suffered in the crash. This could include:

Past and future medical costs
Long-term care
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Pain and suffering

Special equipment your child needs
Home or vehicle modifications
Permanent disability
Disfigurement

Call TSR Injury Law After a Bus Crash

Unsure where to turn after a school bus crash?

TSR Injury Law has been a tireless advocate for motor vehicle crash victims in Minnesota for decades. When you need legal advice you can trust, give us a call to learn how we may be able to assist you.

We take cases on contingency, which means no upfront costs. We do not get paid unless we secure compensation for you.

TSR Injury Law. Experienced Lawyers. Proven Results. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.

Which Driver Could Be Liable For a Crash at a Minneapolis Roundabout?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on August 21, 2023 in Auto Accidents

Traditional intersections with lights and stop signs have been used to control motor vehicle traffic for over a century. Did you know the first traffic light in the United States was installed in 1912? Although the total number of traditional intersections greatly exceeds the number of roundabouts, the number of roundabouts has steadily increased in recent years.

Since Minneapolis’s first roundabout was built in 1995, dozens more have been constructed – the Minneapolis Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimates there are approximately 200 roundabouts across the state.

This is good news, as roundabouts tend to be much safer than traditional intersections. Unfortunately, crashes still happen, and victims need to know what their legal options are after a crash. TSR Injury Law’s Minneapolis-based auto accident lawyers are here to help, and there are no upfront costs for our services.

Give us a call for legal assistance. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.

What Is a Roundabout?

You can think of a roundabout as a circular intersection. There are no traffic lights determining when a lane of traffic can proceed.

Instead, there is an island in the center with a road around it, with traffic moving in a counterclockwise direction around the island. Roundabouts are much more efficient than traffic signs or signals as they can handle high levels of traffic while maintaining better traffic flow.

Do Roundabouts Make Our Roads Safer?

MnDOT’s 2017 study of traffic safety at roundabouts had some encouraging findings:

80 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes at roundabouts compared to traditional intersections
69 percent decrease in the rate of right-angle crashes at intersections with single-lane roundabouts
83 percent decrease in the rate of left-turn crashes at intersections with single-lane roundabouts

Part of the reason for the decrease in traffic crashes at roundabouts is that they allow a more efficient flow of traffic. It often takes seconds to proceed through a roundabout, whereas you could wait minutes to proceed through a traditional intersection.

Some of the other benefits of roundabouts include:

The curve of the roundabout slows traffic down, which means crashes are less likely to be severe.
Turning is less dangerous because you do not need to cut across traffic or numerous lanes to find space to make a turn.
Vehicles travel in the same direction so there is almost no risk of head-on crashes.
It is easier to see pedestrians at roundabouts.

What Are the Rules of the Road For Roundabouts in Minneapolis?

The rules on driving through a roundabout are not complicated:

Vehicles that are already inside the roundabout have the right of way
Slow down as you approach and obey the posted limit while inside the roundabout
Proceed into the roundabout when it is safe to do so, and do not stop or pass other vehicles while inside the roundabout
Yield to pedestrians waiting in crosswalks, just like you would at a traditional intersection
Use your turn signal to indicate you are about to exit the circle
Remain in your lane until you exit the circle

Pedestrians should only cross the road at designated crosswalks. There should be median islands in the middle of each offshoot of the roundabout. You can use these to safely stop and check for oncoming traffic.

Common Causes of Roundabout Collisions

Despite the benefits of roundabouts, many drivers are not used to seeing them. This can lead to confusion and negligent driving that could result in crashes.

Examples of negligent driving that could lead to a Minneapolis roundabout crash include:

Exceeding the Speed Limit

Speeding increases the risk of a crash no matter where you are. Speeding gives you less time to react to avoid a collision, especially if other drivers are behaving negligently.

Failing to Yield

Some drivers who approach the roundabout fail to yield to cars that are already in the roundabout. They may also be in a rush and try to sneak in ahead of another vehicle, resulting in a collision. Drivers might also fail to yield to bicycle riders or pedestrians.

Stopping Inside the Roundabout

Drivers who are unsure about where they are going may decide to stop to try to figure things out. However, stopping in a roundabout is illegal and incredibly dangerous. If you stop at certain points around the curve, oncoming drivers may be unable to see you, increasing the risk of a crash.

Making an Unsafe Lane Change

Drivers need to be careful about changing lanes in two-lane roundabouts. Make sure to use a turn signal and confirm you have space to change lanes safely.

Failing to Maintain a Lane

Drivers need to stay in their lane until they exit the roundabout or change lanes before exiting the roundabout.

Liability For Roundabout Crashes in Minneapolis

When a collision happens in a roundabout, those investigating what happened will need to determine which driver was negligent.

The negligent driver is going to be at fault for damages from the collision. For example, one driver may have been speeding or failing to yield to another driver who had the right of way.

Drivers cannot use ignorance as an excuse for a roundabout collision. Confusion about the rules does not relieve drivers of the obligation to follow the rules. A driver who stopped and got rear-ended may say he or she bears no fault for what happened. However, this driver broke the law by stopping. At the very least, a driver who does this is going to be partially at fault.

Every roundabout crash needs to be analyzed on its own to determine who may be at fault.

TSR has the resources to reconstruct the crash scene, gather witnesses, gather vehicle black box data, and determine how best to get you the justice you deserve.

Call To Discuss Legal Options Following a Roundabout Collision

No matter where your crash occurred, our experienced law firm may be able to help you seek compensation for medical costs and other damages. We have been strong advocates for the injured in Minneapolis for decades, having recovered more than $1 billion for our clients.

Check out our client reviews page to see what our clients have said about their experience with our firm. Client satisfaction is our number one priority, as we know this is a difficult time for you and your family.

We represent crash victims on contingency, which means there are no upfront costs for you to pay.

Unsure of your post-crash legal options? Call for assistance: (612) TSR-TIME.

What Are My Legal Options After Getting Injured in a T-Bone Collision in Minneapolis?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on August 14, 2023 in Auto Accidents

Some car crashes are more dangerous than others, putting those involved at a higher risk for severe or fatal injuries. A side-impact crash is one type of collision that can be especially devastating.

TSR’s experienced attorneys discuss the dangers of these collisions below, including the injuries they cause and why these injuries are more likely to occur.

If you were injured in a side-impact crash and the other driver is to blame, we encourage you to seek legal help as soon as possible. Our Minneapolis auto accident lawyers may be able to help, at no upfront cost to you.

Call us today to learn more: (612) TSR-TIME. Free consultation.

What is a Side-Impact Crash?

A side-impact crash involves the front of one car crashing into the side of another. These collisions often cause extensive damage to both vehicles involved.

Some side-impact crashes have an angle of impact that is almost 90 degrees. These crashes are commonly referred to as T-bone crashes because the vehicles form a “T.” Other types of side-impact collisions typically occur at an approximate 30-45-degree angle.

While side-impact crashes are extremely common in intersections, they may also occur in parking lots and other high traffic areas.

Why Do Side-Impact Crashes Often Cause Severe Injuries?

When one car strikes the front or rear of another vehicle, there is a buffer between the other car and those inside the vehicle. While airbags are the main preventative safety measure, front and rear bumpers, as well as trunk and engine compartments also offer an additional layer of shock absorption.

However, if a vehicle strikes the side of a car, the only thing protecting vehicle occupants are the doors, windows and side airbags, if the vehicle is equipped with them. Vehicles are not as well-equipped to absorb a side impact as they are a frontal or rear impact. A side-impact crash is more devastating because it is much closer to the vehicle’s occupants.

In other types of collisions, drivers may be able to slow down or stop to lessen the impact or avoid hitting the other vehicle all together. However, there is no way to slow down or steer away from a side-impact crash.

Injuries Often Caused by Side-Impact Collisions

T-bone or side-impact crashes in Minneapolis often cause severe or life-altering injuries, including:

Rib injuries
Punctured lungs, which often accompany a rib injury
Organ damage, along with internal bleeding
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries

Injuries to your pelvis and hips
Severe broken bones
Herniated discs
Lacerations from sharp metal or shattered glass
And much more

What Causes T-Bone Collisions to Occur?

As with most crashes, driver negligence is the main reason side-impact collisions occur. For example, a driver may blow through a stop sign or red light and crash into the side of another vehicle that had the right of way. Not only did the at-fault driver violate traffic laws by not stopping, but statistics show they were likely to be speeding as well. In addition to negligence, this could also be considered reckless or aggressive driving.

Side-impact crashes could also happen as a result of driver negligence during a U-turn or failing to recognize who has the right of way. Drivers who fail to yield or come to rolling stops at stop signs and stop lights are far more likely to be involved in these types of crashes.

Impaired driving is another common factor that can lead to a side-impact collision. Drivers impaired by alcohol and other substances are also a factor in many of the most devastating crashes throughout Minnesota.

Liability for a Side-Impact Crash In Minnesota

The liable party is likely to be the driver who ran into the side of the other vehicle. However, determining fault for a crash requires a full investigation as it always depends on the unique details of the crash.

If there is a traffic jam preventing vehicles from moving out of an intersection when the light changes, it increases the risk of a side-impact crash. If those cars are still in the intersection when the light changes, the vehicles that have a green light should wait, even though they have the right of way. If they proceed, it could cause a side-impact collision. In that situation, those drivers would probably be at least partially at fault if their actions lead to a crash. This is because they could have avoided a crash by simply waiting for the cars in the intersection to move.

If you were injured in a side-impact crash, your lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove what happened. For example, it is often possible to work backwards from vehicle damage to determine why the crash occurred and how negligence was involved.

Other evidence that may help prove your case includes:

Medical records documenting your post-crash treatment
Testimony from witnesses

Police report
Pictures of the scene

Call TSR Injury Law For Post-Crash Legal Help

One of the most important phone calls you can make after a crash, besides the phone call to the police, is the call you make to a lawyer. During this difficult time, you need legal guidance you can trust from attorneys who have been helping crash victims for decades.

At TSR Injury Law, we represent victims injured in crashes caused by the negligence of other drivers. We take on the insurance companies and advocate for the best interests of our clients. Over the years, we have obtained more than $1 billion on behalf of our clients.

There are no upfront fees with our services. Call us today at: (612) TSR-TIME.

Can I File a Claim For Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Minneapolis?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on August 8, 2023 in Auto Accidents
Updated on January 6, 2024

Every driver involved in a Minneapolis crash is required to stay at the scene to exchange information, render reasonable medical aid to the injured and notify the police so a crash report can be completed.

Leaving the scene without doing these things is a crime that carries significant penalties, especially if someone suffered substantial bodily harm or death.

Despite the harsh penalties, drivers still flee from car crashes on a regular basis. This is why you need to know what to do if you’re a victim of a hit-and-run. TSR’s experienced Minneapolis-based vehicle accident lawyers discuss these types of crashes below. If you were injured in a crash, we are ready to help you, and there are no upfront costs to hire our services.

We are ready to take your call. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.

What is a Hit-and-Run Crash?

A hit-and-run crash occurs when the driver who caused the crash leaves the scene. In other words, the driver who flees knows that he or she caused the crash and decides not to stop.

Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state, and the penalties increase with the severity of the crash victim’s injuries.

Why Do Drivers Flee a Crash Scene?

There are numerous reasons why the at-fault party would leave the scene of the crash. The main reason why drivers flee the scene of a crash is because they do not want to take responsibility for it. They do not want the victim filing a liability insurance claim, because this will result in the at-fault driver’s insurance premiums going up.

Sometimes drivers flee because they fear criminal consequences for the crash. Often times, the at-fault party is under the influence of drugs or alcohol which clouds their judgement. In their mind, if they wait for the police to arrive, they are likely to be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

There may also be rare cases when an at-fault driver has a warrant out for his or her arrest or is still in the act of committing a crime and is fleeing the previous crime scene.

Steps You Should Take if a Driver Flees the Scene of Your Crash

If you are ever involved in a hit-and-run crash in Minneapolis, there are steps you can take to help protect your claim for compensation.

Remaining Calm

One of the most important things you should try to do is remain calm. Seeing a driver flee can make people so angry they fail to try to collect information about the car or the driver. They may even chase after the driver.

Should I Chase After a Hit-and-Run Driver?

You should never chase after a driver who hits your car and flees the scene. If you do, you will be putting yourself and other drivers in danger.

The at-fault driver may be fleeing the scene of a crime or may have a warrant out for his or her arrest. That means this person may be dangerous. It is best to leave the task of finding the fleeing driver to the police.

It is also important to consider that your vehicle might not be safe to drive because of damage sustained in the crash.

Gathering Information About the Fleeing Car and Driver

The fleeing driver may be out of view in a matter of seconds, so it may not be possible to get any information about the car or its driver. However, you might be able to get a few details that could help law enforcement officers find the car and driver.

Take note of the following information, if possible:

License plate number
Vehicle make
Vehicle model
Description of the driver (male or female, hairstyle, identifying features, etc.)

Damage to the vehicle
If there were other occupants in the vehicle
Which way the car was headed when you last saw it

Moving Your Vehicle Out of Harm’s Way

If you are still in the flow of traffic, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road and away from passing cars. However, you should only move your car if it is safe to do so.

Calling 9-1-1

Your next step is to call 9-1-1 to bring the police to the scene. While you are on the phone, explain that the driver fled the scene and provide the information you collected about the driver and the car. That way, the police have a much better chance at finding the car and driver.

When the police arrive at the scene, explain how the crash occurred to help the officer complete the police report.

Talking to Witnesses

If you see any witnesses, be sure to point them out to the police. It is always best to gather names and numbers of any witnesses in case they leave before police arrive. They may have seen things you did not, which may help the police locate the driver and/or the car.

Seeking Medical Treatment

You should go from the scene to the hospital to get treatment for your injuries. You should not take any chances by waiting to go later, as this could potentially allow your injuries to worsen. Seeking immediate treatment also helps connect your injuries directly to the crash.

Calling an Experienced Lawyer

You should call a lawyer after getting treatment for your injuries. It is difficult for crash victims to obtain full compensation trying to handle the legal process on their own.

Seeking Compensation After a Minnesota Hit-and-Run Collision

One of the advantages of living in a no-fault state like Minnesota is that you can recover compensation for medical expenses from your own insurance, no matter who is at fault for the crash. That means you can recover compensation for medical costs and other expenses from the personal injury protection coverage (PIP) in your own insurance.

The challenge with hit-and-run crashes comes when the police cannot find the driver who fled the scene. If the police find the driver, your lawyer may have the option of filing a claim against that driver’s liability insurance. However, this assumes the fleeing driver has insurance.

If the police cannot find the driver, or the driver doesn’t have insurance, you can file a claim with your own policy which has mandatory uninsured motorist coverage. Priorities for uninsured coverage are different than no-fault, so an attorney is needed to make sure the correct insurance company is contacted and provides coverage.

The bottom line is that recovering compensation after a Minneapolis hit-and-run crash can be complicated. That is why you should contact a licensed attorney to manage your claim on your behalf. The attorneys at TSR Injury Law have extensive legal knowledge, including how to determine the insurance coverage that may apply to a crash.

Have Legal Questions After a Car Crash? Call Us

There are many reasons why you should seek out an experienced attorney after getting injured in a car crash. For example, you absolutely need a lawyer if the at-fault driver left the scene.

At TSR, there are no upfront costs with our services. The initial consultation is also free of charge, and we do not get paid unless you receive compensation. We have obtained more than $1 billion for our clients.

Give us a call today to learn more about how we can assist you. Call (612) TSR-TIME.